The demand for new voices in screenwriting is greater than ever. With close mentorship from working screenwriters, you’ll spend two years building a portfolio that showcases your voice. You’ll also develop the habits and knowledge you need to chart your own unique course in a complex industry.
Program Overview
Immerse yourself in the business of screenwriting.
As a student in Western’s MFA and M.A. in Screenwriting program, you’ll learn about Hollywood standard writing methodology and gain valuable insights into how this exciting business works. Through a dynamic blend of coursework and hands-on experience, you’ll learn how to find your place in the industry, elevate best practices and use this highly visual and theme-driven medium to display your knowledge and creativity. Recent guests have included – J D Payne, Billy Ray, Glen Mazzara, Sarah Nicole Jones, Diane Bell, Tripper Clancy, Mike Reiss, John Bowman, Joel Thompson, and many more.
Industry insights
JS Mayank discussing the screenwriting industry at the Summer Residency.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Concentration in Screenwriting for Feature Film and Television
The Concentration in Screenwriting for Feature Film and Television includes instruction in the history and analysis of classical and contemporary screenwriting texts and the resulting films. The program emphasizes instruction in writing the visual narrative, three- and four-act structure, character development, thematic development, conflict, genre, story arc, and dialogue, for both the feature-length screenplay and television writing. Students also learn to apply strategies and techniques for the effective teaching of creative writing.
The MFA Concentration in Screenwriting for Feature Film and Television requires the following 60 credits:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRWR 600 | Summer Orientation | 1 |
| CRWR 661 | Film History and Analysis; the Visual Narrative | 2 |
| CRWR 662 | Story, Conflict, Character, and Genre in Screenwriting | 2 |
| CRWR 663 | Screenwriting, Competition, Representation, the Option | 2 |
| CRWR 665 | Screenwriting Genre | 6 |
| CRWR 668 | Television Drama and Sit Comedy | 6 |
| CRWR 671 | Writing the First Feature-Length Screenplay | 6 |
| CRWR 675 | Writing the TV Pilot | 6 |
| CRWR 678 | Adaptation | 6 |
| CRWR 690 | Screenwriting Master's Capstone I | 6 |
| CRWR 691 | Screenwriting Master's Capstone II | 6 |
| Select one of the following out-of-concentration courses during the second Fall term: | 6 | |
CRWR 609 | Genre Studies I-Romance and Mystery | |
CRWR 610 | Genre Fiction Writing and Reading Survey | |
CRWR 614 | Traditional Publishing I | |
CRWR 623 | Independent and New Model Publishing I | |
CRWR 646 | Narrative Poetry | |
CRWR 685 | Craft of Creative Nonfiction | |
| Three credits of: | 3 | |
CRWR 694 | Capstone (must be taken for a total of three credits) | |
Screenwriting as a Second Concentration
Students pursuing this second MFA concentration must earn 30 credits as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRWR 600 | Summer Orientation | 1 |
| CRWR 663 | Screenwriting, Competition, Representation, the Option | 2 |
| CRWR 665 | Screenwriting Genre | 6 |
| CRWR 668 | Television Drama and Sit Comedy | 6 |
| CRWR 671 | Writing the First Feature-Length Screenplay | 6 |
| CRWR 675 | Writing the TV Pilot | 6 |
| or CRWR 678 | Adaptation | |
| Three credits of: | ||
CRWR 694 | Capstone (must be taken for a total of three credits) | |
Students may count CRWR 665 Screenwriting Genre toward the second concentration if they have already taken it to fulfill the out-of-concentration course required by their primary concentration.
Careers
Take the first steps toward your dream career.
Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.
The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
The Program
Acquire critical skills and experience in an efficient and effective program.
Western’s graduate Creative Writing program follows a low-residency format. Faculty and students interact online through Zoom and Canvas during the academic year and gather in person on Western’s campus for one week in early August for intensive classes and to work closely with nationally recognized authors on their writing.
- Residency: MFA students attend three summer residencies. The first helps students develop a visual narrative style; the second focuses on workshopping short screenplays; and the third prepares graduates to present their work through pitches, table reads, and more. M.A. students only attend the first two residencies.
- Academic Year: During the academic year, full-time students take two courses each semester. These six-credit courses make use of video conferencing and web platforms for online work. MFA students complete four such semesters, and M.A. students complete two.
- Additional Opportunities: Guests compliment course instruction throughout the year, and students are often invited to guest lectures outside their home concentration. Students also have the opportunity to explore other concentrations through 1-credit summer elective courses.
- Matriculation: To complete the MFA, students spend their final semester working on a feature-length screenplay under the close supervision of a faculty mentor. These screenplays are then given a professional table read at the final residency. To complete the M.A., students complete the coursework of their two academic semesters and two residencies.
Modern storytelling
We believe in teaching our students how to find their place in this industry, elevate the norms, invite in the unexpected, and use this highly visual and theme-driven medium to shake up the world with their stories.
Opportunities and Partnerships
- Create a polished portfolio of 3-4 writing samples that showcase your voice
- Practice and internalize the all-important fundamentals of structure
- Gain experience in script coverage and script notes
- Explore cinematic storytelling and working with actors
- Experience intimate workshops with guests and visiting artists, recently including J D Payne, Billy Ray, Glen Mazzara, Sarah Nicole Jones, Diane Bell, Tripper Clancy, Mike Reiss, John Bowman, Joel Thompson, and many more
- Learn through peer workshops and one-on-one mentorships — both online and in person
- Learn about representation, copyright, and contracts
- Learn how to identify and pursue opportunities in the industry
- Develop a career plan, with personalized guidance from industry veterans
- Take a course in one of the program’s other concentrations: Genre Fiction, Poetry, Nature Writing, or Publishing
- Opportunity to add a second concentration to your MFA degree, allowing for unique combination degrees, such as Screenwriting/Genre Fiction or Screenwriting/Publishing.
On-campus screenings
New Screenwriting student Emily Nortnick sharing a laugh at the Summer Residency.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Graduate Program in Creative Writing
Director
Tyson Hausdoerffer, Ph.D.Director, Graduate Program in Creative Writing
Program Support Coordinator
Rebecca Deluccia, M.A.Program Coordinator
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Quigley Hall 117
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231